We have been super busy since New Years doing a million things. We completed printing several letterpress projects. One of which was for an inspiration shoot with Ken Kienow and Events Redefined. Pictures to come soon! We have been doing custom work, print only projects for designers, corporate work etc. etc. Of course on top of all that I've been extremely tired and worn out these days because...
I'm also busy growing a baby.
Definitely the biggest surprise of the new year! I'm just ending my first trimester and trying to keep up with Emma. Thank goodness of naps!!
|
The answer is about twice as much as your wildest dreams. Yes, if it has the word "wedding" attached to it expect to pay more. Don't worry there are lots of ways to save money. One of your largest expense along with food and alcohol can be the venue, it's also one of the first real decisions you have to make in order to secure a wedding date. Picking a venue, setting a date and planning a budget all merge together like freeways in LA. (Even for you non-SoCal residences you've seen enough movies.. it makes sense.)
If you have unlimited resources, than finding a venue and an available date tends to drive your hunt. However, even big budgets, still have limits. Define and decide exactly how things will be paid for you and by whom. (Today more and more couples are paying for wedding themselves.)
Also before even looking at venues try to have a realistic head count of guests. We wanted something small and intimate, but our first guest list ended up being almost 300 people. It's not pretty or glamorous, but a good old fashioned excel spread sheet is your friend. We allowed both our parents to have their own "dream list" of guests and cut from there. Your guest list number will guide your venue search.
If you want to cut costs on your venue, book a non-peak day, like Sunday or Friday night. Late spring through early fall is very popular, book during the "off season." Shop around and read reviews on places like weddingwire and project wedding. Ask to see a sample price list or sample venue receipt, as you'll be surprised at added corkage fees, linen and flatware costs, etc! Don't be pressured into setting a date. Shop around and find a venue and date you both love!
|
Here is a little more on an all time favorite series of posts....
The holidays are such a popular time to become engaged, we decided to do a series on engagement and the first stages of wedding planning.
It can be intimidating to look out and see a sea of decisions to be made. Don't lose heart, this is actually supposed to be a fun time in your life. Engagements are just a little chapter, full of hope, joy and excitement. Remember to take time to enjoy and it and celebrate it.
As soon as friends and family know you're engaged, be ready for a firestorm of questions and unsolicited advice. Everyone wants to know when, where, why etc. etc. I was amazed at all the pressure there was to make quick decisions. Enjoy telling your engagement story to others and just leave them with.." we are still deciding on details."
Right from the start it's good to plan to make decisions together. Set boundaries as early as possible as to the roles of friends and family, especially of each of your moms. If you know you want to control where this ship is headed, make sure you let parents (ie moms) know from the start.. "Prince Charming and I are still deciding what we want. I'll let you know about ____ (location, time, date, etc) later." (Thankfully we both have great moms and this wasn't a problem.. but of-so-many weddings turn into what your mom wants and not what you love or what you want.)
Here is a fine line between having enough time to plan, and having too much time in planning mode that you burn out and lose sight of the end goal, which is marriage. Engagement is one of those sweet moments in life, in which the most amazing guy asks to spend, share, give, help, relish the rest of his life with YOU. Still kinda boggles my mind.
 |
| Emma loving Christmas baking |
OK, lots of "real life" friends have been bugging me about posting on Christmas.. so for all of you, here you go....
We spent Christmas with my family in the "famous" Happy Valley. (My childhood hometown, that has yet to have a signal light!) The highlights included Christmas baking, walking the River Trail, the Christmas Eve service at my childhood church and Emma NOT visiting ER this time!!
 |
| cookie making with uncle Greg |
Of course Emma's highlights included, having 24/7 attention from way too many adults!! Needless to say she LOVES being the only grandchild on this side of the family! Endless people to wait on her, feed her, entertain her and flat just be her slave!
 |
| Christmas morning opening gifts |
 |
| Emma on the Sundial Bridge |
 |
| Troy and cuddly Kassidy |
For New Years we briefly flew to Sac. to see the greatest of friends and reunite the kiddos. Of course, my favorite part was holding baby Kassidy the most easy, cuddly, content little baby ever! Too bad you can't order them like that on Amazon!
 |
| a rare picture with the three "older" kids |
 |
| Birthday wishes holding baby Kassidy |
I celebrated with apple pie and getting out of the house without kids for tea and coffee, nothing like peace, quiet and adult conversation to keep one sane!
 |
| Kassidy at 4 months old |
 |
| Jimmy and Kadence, don't you love her curls?! |
Our pilot Jimmy, whom Emma affectionately calls "baby Jimmy". It's great to have friends that fly:-)
 |
| sweet baby Kassidy |
 |
| Emma in the plane, mouth full of snacks! |
Both our flights were at night, so I don't have have many cute plane pics with Emma. She did such a good job keeping her headphones on in-flight. We filled her up with "treats" to keep her ears popping during take off and landing. Thankfully she sleep during most of the flight and continues to endless talking about "airplanes", "doors", "ear phones", "Jimmy" and "flying". Mostly it's just nice to fly on our own time table, without security, without worrying about disturbing other passengers, and having a pilot that actually cares about how my kid is doing through out the flight. It's a once in a "blue moon" splurge, but oh, so fun!!
Posts
